https://isthmus.com/arts/index.rss Isthmus : Madison, Wisconsin : Arts, Culture, Theater, Entertainment News, Previews, Reviews en-us ISTHMUS is © 2025 Isthmus Community Media, Inc. | All rights reserved. | Madison, Wisconsin | USA Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:02:00 -0000 Isthmus Staff Picks for July 24-27 also includes University Theatre production of Clare Barron's 'Dance Nation;' more summer fun at Disability Pride Festival and the Unity Picnic. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-24-to-27-2024/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-24-to-27-2024/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:02:00 -0000 Robert Keith Wessel Isthmus Staff Picks for July 21-24 also includes tour stops by American Aquarium and poets Daryl Gussin and James Norman; a University Theatre production of Clare Barron's Pulitzer-nominated play 'Dance Nation.' https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-21-to-24-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-21-to-24-2025/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:07:00 -0000 courtesy Matt Lorenz Isthmus Staff Picks for July 17-20 also includes a reception for the current cohort of LAB^4 exhibitions at Arts + Literature Laboratory; Tango with Winnie Sextet brings together an international ensemble for a concert and dance at Cafe Coda. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-17-to-20-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-17-to-20-2025/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:01:00 -0000 Andres Sanchez Isthmus Staff Picks for July 14-17 also includes opening day for the Dane County Fair; Madison artist Natalie Jo Wright brings 'Four Eyed Cats in Mid Century Spaces' to Flying Low Skateshop. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-14-to-17-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-14-to-17-2025/ Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:06:00 -0000 Bob Koch Isthmus Staff Picks for July 10-13 also includes the Broadway tour of 'Wicked;' the annual collision of Art Fair On the Square and Art Fair Off the Square. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-10-to-13-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-10-to-13-2025/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:02:00 -0000 Rory Doyle Lauren Hafeman ‘The Death of Chuck Brown,’ written and directed by Lawrence, explores themes of family relationships, community safe spaces, Black history, and gentrification’s impacts in historically Black neighborhoods. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/gavin-dillon-lawrence-death-of-chuck-brown/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/gavin-dillon-lawrence-death-of-chuck-brown/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:30:00 -0000 Hannah Jo Anderson Linda Falkenstein Is it a cookbook? An art book? A lifestyle manifesto? ‘The Watercolor Feast’ is a delightful combo of all three. https://isthmus.com/arts/books/eat-the-still-life-erin-gleeson/ https://isthmus.com/arts/books/eat-the-still-life-erin-gleeson/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:00:00 -0000 Jessica Becker The Wisconsin Triennial, at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art through Sept. 14, is more than a showcase of 24 working artists from around the state. This exhibition challenges visitors to connect with modern art in new ways. https://isthmus.com/arts/wisconsin-triennial-2025-mmoca-review/ https://isthmus.com/arts/wisconsin-triennial-2025-mmoca-review/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0000 Mariah Moneda Janet Clear The heart of this production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is the play-within-the-play. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-midsummer-nights-dream-2025-review/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-midsummer-nights-dream-2025-review/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:00:00 -0000 Michael Brosilow Steven Potter ‘Greg Marshall Pops Out of the Trees’ tells the story of what was set in motion on one nearly-catastrophic night. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/greg-marshall-stories-of-a-life/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/greg-marshall-stories-of-a-life/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0000 Isthmus Staff Picks for July 7-10 also includes Fête de Marquette, which gets rolling on Thursday; soprano Angela Brown joins the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for Concerts on the Square. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-7-to-10-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-7-to-10-2025/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:07:00 -0000 Joan Marcus Steven Potter Organizers say the festival gives young people an outlet to help them process some of their angst and emotion. https://isthmus.com/arts/arts-beat/brave-new-voices-to-be-held-in-madison/ https://isthmus.com/arts/arts-beat/brave-new-voices-to-be-held-in-madison/ Fri, 04 Jul 2025 20:30:00 -0000 Matt Weinberger Isthmus Staff Picks for July 3-6 also includes the Mallards transformation into the 'Neverminds' for one night only; Fourth of July weekend festivals including the Monona Community Festival, National Women's Music Festival, Stoughton Fair and WaunaBoom. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-3-to-6-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-july-3-to-6-2025/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 10:03:00 -0000 Brad Weier Janet Clear William Inge’s 'Picnic,' in repertory at American Players Theatre through Sept. 13, is a portrait of mid-century life in a small Midwestern town. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-picnic-review/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-picnic-review/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:00:00 -0000 Dan Norman Isthmus Staff Picks for June 30-July 3 also includes the debut of solo exhibitions by Camille Davis, Maria Schirmer, Mark Soderling and Dylan Waddell at Carnelian Art Gallery; Full Out Formula brings 'I Think It Could Work' to Madison Circus Space. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-30-to-july-3-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-30-to-july-3-2025/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:08:00 -0000 Raymond Amico Isthmus Staff There are plenty of chances to catch some holiday booms in and near Dane County. https://isthmus.com/arts/where-are-fireworks-madison-dane-county-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/where-are-fireworks-madison-dane-county-2025/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 19:35:00 -0000 Jingda Chen on Unsplash Isthmus Staff Picks for June 26-29 also includes album release shows by Graham Hunt and Carrellee; author Christopher A. Micklos hosts a screening of 'Them!' as part of the release party for his new pulp horror novel 'Tick Town.' https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-26-to-29-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-26-to-29-2025/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:02:00 -0000 Shawn Brackbill Rebecca Jamieson In ‘Art,’ art becomes not just the subject of debate but a metaphor for how the characters view the world and one another. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-art-review/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-art-review/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:30:00 -0000 Michael Brosilow Mel Hammond Laughs are consistent in the Noel Coward farce ‘Fallen Angels.’ It’s at the Hill Theatre at American Players through Oct. 3. https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-fallen-angels-review/ https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/american-players-theatre-fallen-angels-review/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:00:00 -0000 Michael Brosilow Isthmus Staff The festival runs from Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, with night one serving as family night featuring the annually anticipated apparance of Cycropia dance troupe. This will be the 60th annual episode of the party. https://isthmus.com/arts/music/hot-like-mars-ratboys-to-headline-2025-orton-park-festival/ https://isthmus.com/arts/music/hot-like-mars-ratboys-to-headline-2025-orton-park-festival/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:45:00 -0000 Isthmus Staff Picks for June 23-26 also includes the Waco Brothers at Olbrich After Hours; 'The Death of Chuck Brown' premieres at American Players Theatre. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-23-to-26-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-23-to-26-2025/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:07:00 -0000 Zeitgeist Films Linda Falkenstein On June 21, Madison will continue its 36 years of community gatherings honoring Juneteenth. Educator and documentarian Charles Taylor covers the history and celebration of this now federal holiday in a new book. https://isthmus.com/arts/books/juneteenth-isnt-going-anywhere/ https://isthmus.com/arts/books/juneteenth-isnt-going-anywhere/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:30:00 -0000 Isthmus Staff Picks for June 19-22 also includes the annual Juneteenth celebration at Penn Park; Sessions at Garver finds a new home at Garver Feed Mill. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-19-to-22-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-19-to-22-2025/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:01:00 -0000 Frank Cain Isthmus Staff Picks for June 16-19 also includes a social to meet the new MPL naturalist-in-residence, author Andrea Debbink; a tour stop by 'MJ the Musical' at Overture. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-16-to-19-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-16-to-19-2025/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:05:00 -0000 Kyle Hilker/Shatter Imagery Isthmus Staff Picks for June 12-15 also includes 'A Tribute to Clyde Stubblefield' opening the new Atwood Music Hall; record release shows by rocker Geoff Palmer and mockers Cribshitter. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-12-to-15-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-12-to-15-2025/ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:04:00 -0000 courtesy River Alliance of Wisconsin Jason Joyce Terrell James is an organizer, promoter, hype man, creator and influencer. But to call him a grassroots leader might be most apt. https://isthmus.com/arts/sports/king-james-real-hoopers/ https://isthmus.com/arts/sports/king-james-real-hoopers/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000 Jason Joyce Tommy Washbush Don’t be misled by the location of Wilder Deitz’s School for Creative Music. He has turned a former therapy office near the Dane County airport into a collection of cozy practice spaces. https://isthmus.com/arts/music/office-of-rock-wilder-deitz-school-of-music/ https://isthmus.com/arts/music/office-of-rock-wilder-deitz-school-of-music/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:00:00 -0000 Tommy Washbush Isthmus Staff Picks for June 9-12 also includes a tour stop by I'm With Her at Overture; learn to identify dragonflies and damselflies with Wisconsin Dragonfly Society and UW Arboretum. https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-9-to-12-2025/ https://isthmus.com/arts/isthmus-madison-picks-june-9-to-12-2025/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:06:00 -0000 Kyle Wege/Crimson Sun Studios Linda Falkenstein You can make the most of every day of a Madison summer (and you need to, because winters are long) — because you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to have fun. Here are seven of our favorite freebies. (From among many!) https://isthmus.com/arts/seven-madison-summer-freebies/ https://isthmus.com/arts/seven-madison-summer-freebies/ Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0000 Courtesy Monona Terrace Sandy Tabachnick A new Madison-penned opera. One of the best-selling rock albums of all time. And Beethoven’s Fifth. Who could ask for more? https://isthmus.com/arts/music/from-mozart-to-motown/ https://isthmus.com/arts/music/from-mozart-to-motown/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000 Zak Stowe